Play worker

Burbage Primary School, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9AE

15 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  5 May 2026 at 12:59am

• Date listed

  20 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £23,656.00 Annually (FTE) Pro-rata

Play worker job summary

Are you calm, caring, and great with children? We’re looking for Midday Supervisors to join our team at Burbage Primary School, part of Embark Federation.

As a Midday Supervisor / Play Worker, you’ll help ensure our children are safe, supported, and happy during their lunchtime break. Whether you’re supervising play, helping in the dining area, or offering a listening ear, your presence makes a big difference to our school community.

The role covers 1 hour 25 mins per day (11:50am to 1:15pm) and we are interested in applications for five days per week or fewer (please specify).

We are seeking a friendly, proactive Play Team Member to support high-quality play at lunchtimes through our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) approach. The successful candidate will help create an inclusive, stimulating outdoor environment where children can enjoy child-led play, develop confidence, resilience and positive relationships. You will work alongside staff to organise resources, promote positive behaviour, and support safe, purposeful play through active supervision and encouragement, including using risk-benefit principles. A genuine enthusiasm for outdoor learning and helping every child thrive is essential; OPAL training and support will be provided.

This is a term-time, part-time role — perfect for someone who enjoys working with young people and wants to contribute to a warm and inclusive school environment.

What you’ll do:

• Supervise pupils inside and outside during lunch breaks

• Support and model safe and positive play and social interaction

• Help manage queues and dining areas calmly and fairly

• Respond to minor incidents and know when to seek help

• Promote our values and inclusive culture at all times

What we’re looking for:

• Someone positive, calm, and fair

• Good communication with children and adults

• Experience with children (e.g. school, clubs, care) is desirable

• Flexibility and a strong sense of responsibility

Basic First Aid training is desirable but not essential — we can help with this.

Why Join Embark?

We are a family of stand-out schools where every child and adult is seen, known and valued. Our people make the difference and we’re proud to offer:

• A supportive and caring working environment with a full staff benefits offer

• A strong team culture and leadership that listens

• Ongoing training and flexible, family-friendly working

Safeguarding Statement:

Embark Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment practices, including an enhanced DBS check. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, who share our commitment to inclusion.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Burbage Primary School

• School type: Academy, ages 5 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: Up to 350 pupils
• Age range: 5 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Burbage Primary School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/burbage-primary-school-sk17-9ae

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